California Polytechnic State University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

The Environmental Management & Protection program is an undergraduate, interdisciplinary course of study integrating the biophysical and social/economical/political sciences. The curriculum emphasizes management and protection of ecosystem structures and processes that sustain uses of environmental resources. The major will provide students with the science and management background in natural resources that, when properly integrated, can guide consumptive uses of resources in a sustainable manner.

The purpose of environmental management and protection is the sustainable management of environmental resources to balance uses and values for current and future generations. Because environmental problems arise from human demands on the environment, solutions must focus on the human dimension of the ecosystem. Thus, environmental management is the management of both people and resources to attain human goals while protecting environmental values in order to sustain natural systems.

Students are prepared for a broad range of professional careers in environmental science and management. Graduates are educated in environmental assessment, impact analysis, and management of natural resources. Knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment is balanced with study of other theories and practices to solving social conflicts over the environment.

The Environmental Management & Protection (ENVM) major is endorsed by the California Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP). The AEP is a professional association representing the full range of environmental professions, both private and public sector. The AEP has partnered with the NRES Department to provide students in the ENVM Major with several paid internships in major environmental consulting companies each year. The AEP also makes a $1000 scholarship available for new students. Please see the NRES department for more information on how to apply for the scholarship.

Program Learning Objectives

Demonstrate critical-thinking problem-solving skills.
Effectively communicate scientific and technical knowledge in a professional manner.
Demonstrate competency in scientific and technical knowledge related to environmental management in the following key areas:
Ecology and Biology – applied ecology to inform environmental impact analysis;
Measurement – identification of key ecosystem elements, indicators and range of variability; land and water quality indicators;
Management and Protection – developing alternatives and mitigation measures;
Social, Economic, and Political – conflict management, CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) interpretation and analysis, i.e., environmental impact reports (EIR), environmental impact statements (EIS), and other environmental documents.
Demonstrate proficiency in quantitative skills and information management specific to their discipline areas.
Exhibit an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities as sustainability managers, environmental managers, natural resources managers, forest managers, including respect for diversity.
Promote life-long learning habits by exposing students to the discovery process of applied research and demonstration projects conducted by the faculty.

The City and Regional Planning Department (CRP) promotes sustainable and diverse communities within cultural and human systems. CRP faculty provide an interdisciplinary professional planning education based on a learn-by-doing approach, community outreach, and applied research to help communities aspire for better, livable places.

The Civil Engineering Program
The mission of the Civil Engineering Program is to prepare its students for successful careers in civil engineering by providing a high-quality, practice-oriented education that emphasizes design project experiences, "hands-on" laboratory activities, and teamwork.

The Civil Engineering Program's faculty, in consultation with engineering practitioners and alumni, have developed five educational objectives to support the program mission. The educational objectives represent the goals that we have for our graduates after they leave Cal Poly. The educational objectives of the Civil Engineering Program are as follows:

- Successfully perform engineering functions in Civil Engineering practice.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with industry professionals, decision-makers and community members.
- Work in an ethical and professional manner to positively impact society and the environment in a regional, national and global context.
- Pursue life-long learning and service to the profession through continuing education opportunities, professional organizations, leadership, graduate degrees and/or other certification.
- Progress toward professional licensure.

suscat.calpoly.edu

The Sustainable Environments minor educates students within the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) in the principles and various aspects of sustainable environmental design with global, regional and local perspectives and concepts. It provides students with the knowledge and abilities needed to integrate concerns for ecology, social equity and economics within the context of human and natural resource systems and the built environment.

A minor in Sustainable Agriculture is open to all Cal Poly students. In it, students approach modern agricultural problems from a holistic perspective, emphasizing agricultural planning integrated with ecological principles. Through experience in sustainable agricultural practices, students learn about farming in the context of an agro-ecosystem: a system whose processes and relationships can be manipulated to allow production with fewer adverse environmental impacts and external inputs. Students develop knowledge and skills involving holistic management, crop production, and adaptive decision-making in a hands-on environment.

Social Sustainability (degree area of emphasis)
This emphasis area challenges students to conceptualize, understand and analyze issues of sustainability from social, cultural, and environmental perspectives. It reflects the idea that long-term sustainability requires attention to social equity, cultural preservation, and economic development as well as to environmental stewardship.

https://suscat.calpoly.edu/sustainability-programs